Chapter 85: Chapter 84: Affection
Qingliu Ferry.
Along the riverbank, a row of willow trees. If it were April, the willow fluff would brush against one’s face, accompanied by a gentle breeze and fine rain, evoking deep sentiments of departure.
But at this moment, it’s early August.
Two months ago, the Princely Heir Li Yu was commanded by the Emperor to escort the Imperial Consort back to the Capital from a three-year meditation at Putuo Mountain. They sailed northward, intending to arrive before the Mid-Autumn Festival. Unexpectedly, the Imperial Consort fell ill along the way, delaying them for about ten days, leading to the current timing.
The personnel from the Ministry of Rites, who were ordered to welcome her, had been waiting at the ferry until today, finally seeing the majestic and ornate Royal ship appear on the horizon.
As everyone, who had been standing under the sun all morning, heaved a sigh of relief, they immediately gathered their spirits to make arrangements. Only by ensuring the safe and smooth entry of the Imperial Consort into the Capital could they safely enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival with their official hats intact.
When Mu Lianxiao arrived on horseback, the ferry was already filled with kneeling individuals.
He held a minor position in the Ministry of War, earning some favor from the Emperor, and often ran errands for him.
A month ago, he went to Lindong and had just returned to report his duty at the palace, when he was directed to Qingliu Ferry.
After all, Lady Jiarou returning to the Capital with the Imperial Consort is his sister.
In the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, Madam Wu had been eagerly awaiting her only granddaughter.
Mu Lianxiao set off ten days later than the reception team from the Ministry of Rites. Along the way, he had to gallop at full speed, not daring to delay even a little. According to Du Yunluo’s estimate, it would take eight or nine days by carriage one way; he managed it in two days on horseback. However, on the return trip, with the entourage of the Imperial Consort, it would likely take over ten days.
The leading Royal ship had already docked.
One after another, the luggage and trunks were being unloaded, as curtains were set up on the shore, waiting for the nobles to disembark.
Mu Lianxiao seized the moment, hurriedly changed into clean clothes, and quickly knelt at his designated spot.
After waiting for a quarter of an hour, Li Yu, wearing a round-necked imperial robe with a gentle smile, helped the Imperial Consort slowly disembark. Not far behind them was a girl in her youthful years, it was Mu Lianhui.
Everyone bent their heads, offering their greetings and paying respects.
The Ministry of Rites is notorious for its complexity.
The Imperial Consort, tired from the boat journey, rested a little inside the curtains.
Li Yu stepped out to apologize and was surrounded by officials flattering him.
His gaze swept over to Mu Lianxiao standing under the willow tree by the riverbank. Li Yu hurriedly raised his voice and called, "Ah Shao!"
Mu Lianxiao turned around and bowed upon hearing the call.
Li Yu walked directly to the riverbank.
The officials did not follow, and Li Yu let out a breath of relief, saying, "Finally, I’m not surrounded anymore."
Prince Cheng was exceptionally skilled in archery and horseback riding, skills that Li Yu inherited from his father. Mu Lianxiao often sparred and competed with him, and knew his character well.
Casually glancing at the groups of officials conversing not far away, Mu Lianxiao leaned against the willow tree, smiling, "If they didn’t even have this bit of discernment, how could they navigate that fox den of the Ministry of Rites?"
The "fox den of the Ministry of Rites" was a nickname coined by the Minister of War, and as a member of the Ministry of War, Mu Lianxiao had heard the old minister mention it many times.
Li Yu couldn’t help but laugh, his long, phoenix eyes filled with humor. Thinking of Mu Lianxiao’s current circumstances, he teased, "Don’t forget, your future father-in-law is also one of those foxes in the den."
Mu Lianxiao didn’t expect Li Yu to bring this up, and he was momentarily embarrassed.
Li Yu laughed even harder.
"What’s the young prince discussing with my third brother?"
A girl’s gentle and clear voice came, and Mu Lianxiao turned to see Mu Lianhui approaching with a playful smile.
She wore a narrow-sleeved blouse of pale aqua silk, and in her hair, two translucent, emerald green hairpins. Mu Lianhui’s attire was simple and elegant, reminiscent of a lotus before the Buddha, yet anyone knowledgeable about fabrics and jewelry could tell her outfit was anything but ordinary.
Not having seen her for three years, Mu Lianhui had grown a bit taller, but standing before the two tall young men, she only came up to their chests.
Mu Lianxiao called out, "Big Sister."
Mu Lianhui, still smiling, asked again, "I saw from afar that both of you were laughing. What was so funny?"
Mu Lianxiao coughed lightly, feeling slightly awkward.
Li Yu, his smile broadening, said, "We were just talking about Ah Shao’s future father-in-law."
Mu Lianhui’s smile froze momentarily, and then she laughed again, "Oh right, Ah Shao is already engaged. Tell me, what kind of person is that Miss Du?"
"She’s..." Mu Lianxiao began, considering his words, noticing Li Yu listening attentively with keen interest, he suddenly decided not to answer.
No matter how he describes her, once they return to the Capital, not only Prince Rui’s Heir Li Luan but also Crown Prince Li Ke and other peers of similar age would hear about it, probably even those in Cining Palace.
It was fine if it only concerned him; at most, he’d just be laughed at by these people, and he could always get back at them later. But as for Du Yunluo...
Recalling when she fell in front of him, her clear eyes instantly welling up with tears, Mu Lianxiao’s heart inexplicably fluttered, as if a kitten had tickled it with a paw.
Because of the previous incident involving Princess An Ran, she was already subjected to quite a bit of gossip, and this time...
If more rumors spread again, that lively person might end up crying once more.
He didn’t want to make her cry.
She looked much better when she smiled.
Seeing that Mu Lianxiao didn’t answer, Li Yu blinked his phoenix eyes, "Ah Shao, you haven’t even met her yet, have you?"
Having been away from the Capital for over two months, Li Yu hadn’t yet heard about the Fa Yin Temple incident.
Mu Lianhui covered her mouth, chuckling, "That can’t be, you can tell by looking at him—he’s definitely seen her but doesn’t want us to know."
Li Yu burst into hearty laughter.
The laughter of the two made Mu Lianxiao’s ears burn with heat. Fortunately, he wasn’t a pale scholar; with his honey-colored skin, tanned from the sun, his blushing wasn’t apparent.
He instinctively grasped the pouch at his waist.
When he rubbed it with his thumb, he felt the smooth, round outline of the pearl.
The pearl picked up at Fa Yin Temple; initially, Mu Lianxiao intended to return it, but having missed the opportunity, he found he was reluctant to part with it, so he kept it in his pouch, knowing it was always there when he touched it.
The folding fan he had someone send, he wondered if she liked it.
The messenger hadn’t even seen Du Yunluo when he returned, which left Mu Lianxiao a bit dissatisfied. He had specifically instructed them to deliver it in person, yet it was handed over to Du Yunru.
At the time, that person complained, saying that Du Family’s eldest was as inscrutable as ever, making him uncomfortable. So he hurriedly inquired about Miss Du’s well-being, handed over the fan, and left.
Mu Lianxiao didn’t understand what "inscrutable" meant then, but now, looking at Li Yu and Mu Lianhui, he understood deeply.
No wonder that person left so quickly.
Still, hearing that Du Yunluo’s foot had healed and she could walk again was reassuring.
The fall at Fa Yin Temple must have hurt quite a bit.
If he had known, he would have held on no matter what.
Lost in his thoughts, Mu Lianhui noticed his distraction, her smile deepening.
It appears that the heir from their mansion genuinely likes the Du Family’s Fifth Sister, much more than she had previously thought.
That is good.
As long as he likes her.
